The study researchers had previously found in 2004 that while some people who don't get migraines also have these brain changes, there is a higher prevalence of the changes, called white matter hyperintensities, in women with migraines than in those without.

Their new findings reveal that these changes develop more often in women affected by migraines.

"After [nine] years follow-up, the prevalence of white matter changes is still higher in female migraine patients, but also the number of new lesions was higher," study researcher Dr. Mark C. Kruit, M.D., of Leiden University Medical Center, told HuffPost.

However, he added that there were no cognitive differences found between people with migraine and those without, and the white matter changes that were found were small, so people with migraines should not be worried by the new findings.

Kruit noted that brain lesions -- while scary sounding -- can also be thought of as small spots of scars in the brain. The same risk factors for conditions like ischemic stroke, such as high blood pressure or cigarette smoking, are also considered risk factors for these white matter hyperintensities. A review of studies in the British Medical Journal in 2010 showed that white matter hyperintensities are linked with higher risks of death, dementia and stroke, and possibly cognitive functioning and brain processing speed.

"Therefore most often white matter hyperintensities are considered to be 'ischemic' in origin. However, sometimes similar lesions have an inflammatory, infectious or toxic cause," Kruit said. "It is unknown what the exact cause of the [white matter hyperintensities] in migraine patients is."

The new study, which was conducted by Kruit along with his colleagues Drs. Inge Palm-Meinders and Hille Koppen, in collaboration with the U.S. National Institute on Aging, included 295 people with migraine and 140 people without migraine. Of the 295 people with migraine, 203 underwent MRI brain scans, and among the 140 people without migraine, 83 underweight MRI brain scans. Researchers followed up with them nine years later.

They found that women with migraines were more likely to have developed new lesions over the nine-year follow-up period. Specifically, 77 percent of the women with migraine experienced brain white matter changes by the end of the study period (112 out of 145) compared with 60 percent of the women without migraine (33 out of 55).

"These figures mean that female migraine patients are [two] times more likely to develop new lesions, compared to female controls," Kruit said.

The researchers noted that people who had migraines, but who only had a few attacks over the study period, still experienced the brain changes. "Based on this, it seems that the effect on the brain is mainly attributable to the disease migraine, rather than to having repetitive migraine attacks," the researchers wrote in a release.

They also found an association between infarcts (which are clusters of dead brain cells) and migraines. In 2004, researchers noted that 8 percent of people with migraines had infarcts (which is already seven times higher than people who don't have migraines). But in the new study, new brain infarcts developed in 5 percent of people with migraines, while no new brain infarcts developed in people without migraines.

However, there was no link found between migraine frequency, migraine aura or migraine management and the brain lesions, nor did researchers find any real cognitive differences between people with and without migraine, Kruit said.

"The findings imply that small white matter hyperintensities in most patients with migraine should not be a reason for alarm," wrote Dr. Deborah I. Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the Mayo Clinic's Dr. David W. Dodick, M.D., in an accompanying editorial.

"However, given the relationship between migraine and several acquired and genetic vasculopathies, it is possible that certain subpopulations of patients with migraine with white matter hyperintensities may be at an increased genetic risk for significant white matter disease and neurological morbidity, including stroke, transient ischemic attack, cognitive impairment, and other neurologic outcomes," they wrote.

This is not the first time migraine has been linked with a risk factor for stroke. A review of studies in the American Journal of Medicine in 2010 showed a doubled risk of stroke due to blood clot among people who get migraines, Reuters reported.

The researcher of that study, Dr. Saman Nazarian, who is an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Reuters that it's not completely clear why migraines seem to be linked with the increased stroke risk, but that people who get migraines should just be extra careful about making sure they keep the stroke risks they can control, like blood pressure, low.

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Natural Ways To Ease Migraines

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One of the oldest herbal remedies for migraines, this plant can be used in many forms, included steeped in tea or even eaten raw, according to Alexander Mauskop, M.D., a board-certified neurologist focused on headaches and the director and founder of the New York Headache Center.
That's because it contains a powerful chemical called parthenolide, which has been linked to warding off migraines, although Mauskop says science hasn't really offered an answer yet as to how or why,
One of the first studies of the herb came out of Great Britain in the 1980s, and found that 70 percent of people who chewed a couple of feverfew leaves each day saw their symptoms improve and experienced fewer migraines, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
In supplement form -- as long as it contains at least 0.2 percent parthenolides -- 100 to 150 milligrams a day may do the trick, according to a HuffPost blog by Dr. Andrew Weil, because it can help "prevent the release of substances that dilate blood vessels in the head."

Unlike feverfew, this herb is toxic in any form but the processed supplement, says Mauskop.
However, its headache-preventing properties are equally impressive. The chemicals in butterbur are thought to relieve spasms and decrease inflammation, which can cause headaches, according to WebMD.
A small 2004 study found that patients who took 75 milligrams of butterbur twice daily had 48 percent fewer migraines, compared to a 26 percent decrease experienced by people given only a placebo.
While it's been predominantly researched as a preventive measure, there's some preliminary evidence that it can also help beat a migraine as it's happening. Taking 100 milligrams every three hours (up to 300 milligrams in 24 hours) just might do the trick, according to Psychology Today.

Mauskop's own research found that people with migraines and cluster headaches are often deficient in magnesium.
He demonstrated that an infusion of the mineral helped to stop the pain. Of course, an infusion isn't the most practical of treatments when you're struck by a migraine at the office, say, but supplements can also help.
One small study found daily magnesium supplements reduced migraine frequency by nearly 42 percent, compared to only about 16 percent in people given a placebo pill. Some people have trouble absorbing magnesium, says Mauskop, which can lead to the unpleasant side effect of diarrhea, but overall it's considered safe in 200 milligram daily doses, he says.
Flickr photo by fdecomite

This B vitamin -- found naturally in foods like milk, meat, nuts and green veggies -- was linked to migraine prevention in a small 1998 study, but in a very high dose, writes Weil, one that would need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Riboflavin (and an enzyme that acts similarly called CoQ10) is involved in producing energy inside the cells of the body, Mauskop explains, so it's better to take in the morning to ward off migraines, in case it disrupts sleep.

A dose of these healthy fats can fight inflammation, which is a likely culprit in many headaches and possibly some migraines. Everyday Health recommends flax seeds but fish, like salmon, and fish oil supplements may also help.
"There are so many other benefits of omega 3s, even if it doesn't help your headaches, there's no reason not to try it," says Mauskop.
Flickr photo by http://www.samcatchesides.com/

As anyone who gets headaches knows, certain smells can trigger the pain. But peppermint in particular seems to have pain-reducing effects, says Mauskop. "It's very individual," he says, and may not work for everyone. Or, it could just mask less pleasant smells.

This spice is well-known for being friendly to upset stomachs, and it can ease migraine-related nausea, too, says Mauskrop. It may also ease pain thanks to some anti-inflammatory properties. Just be sure you're getting the real thing, he says -- ginger ale doesn't cut it.
Flickr photo by mfdudu

There may not be a body of research to support a simple head rub, but there's no denying it feels good! People instinctively rub their temples in the throes of a headache, and if it works for them, why not? "Whatever feels good, do that!" says Mauskop.

In a similar vein, a whole-body massage can help, too. Part of that is likely due to the stress relief, as tension is a known headache trigger.
A small study found that frequent migraine sufferers had fewer headaches following six weekly massage sessions. However, it's likely that you'd have to continue the relaxing practice -- indefinitely -- which could get pricey!

One way to reap the stress-reducing benefits for free is a quiet meditation practice, says Mauskop, who lists meditation as one of his top two natural migraine treatments. There remains little concrete evidence that meditation in particular can ease the pain, Health.com reported, but it is certainly a proven stress reliever.

Plenty of headaches are triggered by dehydration -- so much so that Mauskop says he has patients who will quickly drink a few glasses of H2O when they feel a migraine coming on, and actually stop it in its tracks. "They know to catch it early," he says, "that definitely can help."
Not a huge water fan? There are plenty of ways to snazz up a glass or trick yourself into sipping more throughout the day here.
Flickr photo by Greg Riegler Photography

There have been mixed results in the research examining this ancient Chinese medicine's effect on migraines. Most recently, a study questioned whether the traditional practice offered much more than a placebo effect, perhaps due to the extra attention lavished by the acupuncturist. Proponents maintain that the needles trigger pain-reducing chemicals, Reuters reported, but all those visits could become time consuming and expensive, points out Mauskop.
A DIY altnerative might be acupressure, he says. Try pressing on the webbed space between your thumb and pointer finger. It may only be temporary, but it can offer relief.

"Caffeine is a double-edged sword," says Mauskop. If you're too dependent on multiple cups of coffee a day (or even frequent doses of certain headache medications formulated with caffeine) you're likely to experience rebound headaches when the jolt starts to wane. However, in small doses, a little bit can help reduce pain.
Flickr photo by OiMax

Along with meditation, Mauskrop calls staying active one of his top two most effective ways to prevent and treat migraines. Of course, many people are in too much pain in the middle of a headache to even think about heading to the gym. But a few people have told him when they feel something coming on, they can go out for a jog and avoid the migraine altogether. "It relaxes you, it releases endorphins," he says.
Last year, a small Swedish study attempted to find out just how good exercise is at preventing migraines and discovered a solid sweat session was just as effective as migraine medications at keeping the debilitating headaches at bay.
Flickr photo by Dafydd359

Many people will feel a chill when they get a migraine, explains Mauskop, while at the same time their heads feel "hot and cloudy" he says. For some temporary relief, try reversing the feelings -- cool your head with an ice pack while warming the body in the bath, he suggests. Granted, it's not very practical unless you're at home and have plenty of time, he says, but dilating the blood vessels in the body may help blood flow away from the head and reduce some of the pain, he says.